Month: December 2014

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How?

In reading Luke 1 this morning, I saw the question – the question I have often asked.
Then I saw it again.
So I went searching for it. Continue reading →

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Troubled at the saying

I study the Bible a lot – every day I have my nose in it. And I know there are times I can get teach and preach and get over the heads of those listening.

This is especially true of new things – things the listeners have not studied or heard before.

I try to explain everything but sometimes it just takes time to sink in.

The same thing happened to Mary.

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Luke 1:28-30

Mary was troubled at his saying.
Why? Because it was new to her.

She lived in a society that followed the Law of Moses. It was a society where the religious leaders would emphasize that she wasn’t good enough and because her family wasn’t rich, they weren’t considered to be blessed.

Now an angel tells her she is highly favored and she has found favor with God.

The angel told her of grace, something she just didn’t understand. Grace and following the Law had little in common. Then again, they have everything in common. But there I go again – getting in deep.

Mary is not alone when it comes to not understanding grace. There are many people that don’t. I can’t swear that I fully comprehend it but I fully accept it.

I know I am saved by God’s grace.

There are many things in God’s word that are difficult to understand. Like grace, they need to be accepted and allowed to accomplish their purpose in you.

Abba, Your grace is more than sufficient for me. I love Your grace. Thank You for giving it to me through my Savior, Jesus. YES&AMEN

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Walking

My year old grandson started walking last night. He was standing by my chair and just let go and walked over to Haylee who was about six feet away. Then he walked back.
Once he discovered what he was doing he would walk some 15 feet across the living room and back.

He was as excited as the rest of us. With each step he’ll grow more confident and steady and there will be no stopping him.

It’s an experience every parent and grandparent goes through.

It’s hard to imagine that Jesus went through it too.

After his birth and dedication the Bible says,

And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. Luke 2:40

There was the day he rolled over on His own.
The day He started crawling and waving bye and hi.
Then the day came when He let go of the chair and walked across the room, much to the thrill and excitement of Joseph and Mary.

There was no stopping Him.
He kept on walking.

He walked Galilee and Judea.
He walked through Samaria and through the streets of Jerusalem.
He walked in the mountains and He walked on the water.

Then the day came when He walked to Golgotha and was crucified.

But death didn’t stop Him. He walked up to the devil and took the keys of death and hell. He walked out of the tomb. He walked among His disciples. He walked for forty days.
He walked to the Mount of Olives but He didn’t walk back down.
He ascended to heaven where He now sits at the right hand of Father.

And He has passed the walking over to you and me now!
It’s up to each of us to walk by His grace and walk by faith.

Abba, use my legs to carry me where You want me to go. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Singing Christmas

I love Christmas music, despite the fact that many times it doesn’t really deal with Christmas in my area of the country.

Still, I associate Christmas with sleigh bells, snow, chestnuts, and a red-nosed reindeer.

There are plenty of songs that deal with the true meaning of Christmas like the classics like Away in a Manger or Silent Night.

But being in Christian radio affords me the opportunity to hear what today’s artists are writing and singing. Many of those songs have also been rooted in me as a Christmas song.

Many Christmas songs seem to indicate the singing of the angels.
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plain.
But you cannot find anything in the Bible that says that the angels sing. What you do have is from the birth of Christ,

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:13-14

Here the angels said their praise to God.

I believe singing praise to God may be left up to you and me. And if that’s true, then sing!

Sing your praise to God! Praise Him in a way that no other creature in all creation can.

Sing!

Abba, I will sing my praise of You. I will praise the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. YES&AMEN

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Chestnuts and sleigh bells?

Christmas songs are on the radio. We’re playing more and more on KSWP, where I work.

I call them Christmas songs but they have absolutely nothing to do with any Christmas that I have ever experienced.

The classic Nat King Cole song with chestnuts roasting on an open fire and folks dressed up like Eskimo’s.
Not in Texas!

The classic Bing Crosby song about a white Christmas where tree tops glisten and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow.
I did have snow earlier this year. In fact, there were three different snows all within two weeks of each other but none earlier than January 24th.
I don’t ever remember a white Christmas.
I’ve never heard sleigh bells. I’m not sure there’s a sleigh in the state of Texas.

Though songs like these are reminiscent of Christmas, I truly doubt they are appropriate for California or Florida either.

But there is one part of Christmas that is good no matter where you live.

She brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

That’s Christmas!

Go ahead and sing Jingle Bells and Deck the Halls; sing about French hens and mom kissing Santa Claus – but Christ is what Christmas is all about.

Abba, I enjoy all the songs and decorations of Christmas. But I rejoice in the Christ of Christmas. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Pushing Others!

Last time I looked at Preceding Others and how you pave the way for someone else.

I had things happen to me but only until I gave my life to Jesus. It would have been easy to go the opposite direction. But I had teachers, grandparents, friends that pushed me to be better.

History is full of evil and villains that were mistreated as children and ended up being psychotic killers or ruthless dictators without conscience.

It’s really no excuse. Each person is responsible for their own actions, whether good or bad. You have the choice to overcome the bad done to you. You can overcome it. Too many have already.

Sometimes it takes someone to push you in a positive way. I admire people like Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen who do such a great job at encouraging others to move forward.
I believe the best encouragement comes from the Lord.

Even Jesus had that encouraging person to pave the way for Him.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

He pointed all of mankind to Jesus.

He could have said, “There’s another rabbi or preacher!”
But John pointed to Him as the Messiah – the Savior.

So how can you encourage someone today?
What can you say or do that will pull someone up and get their feet back on the ground?

Do it!

Abba, I just want to be a blessing to others. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Preceding others!

Everyone knows the name of Billy Graham. But do you know Mordecai Ham?
He is the evangelist that was preaching when Billy came forward and accepted Jesus as Savior.

Everybody has someone that precedes them – that paves the way for them. Billy Graham, DL Moody, Tony Evans, or Chuck Swindoll all had someone that paved the way before them and help lead them to Christ.

Even Jesus had someone go before Him.

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Mal 4:5

That was fulfilled in the person of John the Baptist.

John’s father, Zacharias was told,

He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1:17

Today you will go before someone. Will you pave the way to the Lord for them? Will you show the way?

Think about that before you act or say something today. You may be just the person to lead the next Billy Graham to Christ.

Abba, use me to point the way for others. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Christmas Every Day!

Was Jesus born on December 25th. Anything is possible but it’s hardly likely. It really doesn’t matter because Jesus should be celebrated every day!

It’s a shame that so many don’t recognize that and only think of the Savior on Easter or at Christmas.
He is not recognized as the Lord of all!

Not long after His birth something wonderful happened.

Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Luke 2:22-24

He was taken to the Temple. Now remember He is only about 6 weeks old or so.
While at the Temple a man named Simeon and a elderly widow named Anna recognized this Baby as the Messiah.

Both spoke and prophesied over Him,

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Luke 2:33

It is a shame that more did not recognize Him as Messiah at that time.
It is a shame that more do not recognize Him as Savior and Messiah today!

Those two in the Temple that day, weren’t around to celebrate the birth of Jesus at the manger. They won’t be around to celebrate with the Wise Men. But they did celebrated Jesus forty days after His birth.

He is meant to be celebrated each and every day!

Abba, every day I see the Savior in all the things around me. Christmas and all that comes with it, reminds me of the Savior, but then I choose to be reminded! In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Christmas Gift

Nearly every nativity scene contains three wise men. Though this story is not included in any other Gospel other than Matthew and follows immediately after the birth of the Christ.

It is unlikely that the Wise men showed up at the birth since the star was over a house and Jesus is called a young Child.

One thing for sure,

And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matt 2:11

Of course, gifts are given at Christmas and justified by this story. More than that, the gifts are evidence of God’s provision.

The little family will be traveling to Egypt to escape the tyranny of King Herod, who orders the killing of all male children two-years old and under.

A trip to Egypt could not have been cheap; plus the time spent living there. Like you, they may have had some money to live day to day but a sudden trip is an extra expense. The gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh could have been used to finance such a trip and stay.

God provides!

I have many stories of Him providing for us and I am not alone. I have heard many stories of providential provision.

I like to give gifts. I love to make someone happy with a small gift. But if I pray earnestly before getting a gift for someone, I would find myself getting a gift of provision by being led by the Holy Spirit.

Abba, Your gift of Salvation through the Babe of the manger is the best ever. YES&AMEN